* This story has been updated

The man shot dead in Cloverdale on Saturday afternoon has been identified as Paul Bennett, a 47-year-old father of two children who coached minor hockey in the area.

Bennett, who worked as an operating-room nurse department manager at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, coached the Atom C3 Titans last season, his first as a hockey head coach, according to team manager Tamara Edwards.

B次元官网网址淗e was a great coach, son, husband, and father to two boys and a champion for the sport,B次元官网网址� Edwards told the Now-Leader in an email Sunday morning.

The shooting happened at around 4 p.m. Saturday (June 23) in the 18200-block of 67A Avenue.

Surrey RCMP fielded a number of calls about shots fired in the Clayton area. When they arrived on scene, officers found a man with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital, where he died.

To gather evidence, the RCMPB次元官网网址檚 Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is now working with its partners from Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and B.C. Coroners Service.

B次元官网网址淭his investigation is in its early stages and we need everyone with any information about this homicide to come forward,B次元官网网址� stated Corporal Frank Jang, of IHIT, early Sunday.

According to an IHIT news release Sunday afternoon confirming BennettB次元官网网址檚 identity and age, Jang said police believe B次元官网网址渢his was not a random incident. Investigators are working to determine motive.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e are releasing Mr. BennettB次元官网网址檚 name in an effort to determine his activities and who he may have had contact with leading up to the shooting,B次元官网网址� Jang said. B次元官网网址淲e need those with information about this murder to come forward and speak with IHIT.B次元官网网址�

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Just this month, Bennett was featured in a video presented by Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, explaining B次元官网网址渢he ABCs of laparoscopic surgery.B次元官网网址�

Foundation executive director Stephanie Beck told Black Press Media that Bennett was considered exemplary by foundation staff and hospital staff alike.

B次元官网网址淗e was so well-respected in the hospital, a superstar in the OR,B次元官网网址� Beck said. B次元官网网址淗e was extraordinary.

B次元官网网址淧aul was always the first to volunteer to meet with donors and show them around the OR. He did tours all the time for us.B次元官网网址�

Last hockey season, Bennett coached his Titans to a gold medal at a Spring Break tournament in Squamish, where the nine- and 10-year-olds went undefeated and earned first place after an exciting shootout.

B次元官网网址淲e had finished dead-last in our local Cloverdale tournament in January, so it was a remarkable turnaround for the kids,B次元官网网址� team manager Edwards said at the time.

B次元官网网址� READ MORE: .

B次元官网网址淵ou can imagine the excitement and pride of the players, as well as the coaches and parents. We fought hard during the season and had some tough turns and managed to pull together in the end to do the unthinkable, and beat every team, win every game, and walk away with the gold.B次元官网网址�

Edwards said the teamB次元官网网址檚 wonderful season involved participating in two parades, including the lighted-truck one in Cloverdale at Christmas and also the B次元官网网址淗ometown HockeyB次元官网网址� event at Surrey Civic Plaza.

B次元官网网址淔or our head coach, Paul Bennett, itB次元官网网址檚 his first turn at being head coach. Our assistant coaches are Christian Len and Rob Lawrence,B次元官网网址� she said in March.

BennettB次元官网网址檚 Facebook profile indicates he was originally from Bath, Ontario.

In a statement Sunday morning, Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association president Marty Jones said a B次元官网网址渂eloved member of our Family has been taken from us, a husband, a father, a brother, a friend and a coach.B次元官网网址�

JonesB次元官网网址� son played on the Titans team coached by Bennett last season.

B次元官网网址淲e live life together. We journey, we celebrate, we rally and we grieve. Today is one of those times when we grieve,B次元官网网址� Jones wrote in a message posted to .

B次元官网网址淧aul Bennett devoted much of the past number of years investing in the lives of the young boys and girls of CMHA.

B次元官网网址淭o say Paul has touched the lives of many would be an understatement. I am truly grateful as a first-hand witness of this.

B次元官网网址淲e are heartbroken, but our Family needs each other now, and PaulB次元官网网址檚 Family needs us.

B次元官网网址淚n the days ahead we will look to the best way for our community to rally and support the loved ones he left behind. In the meantime, hug your sons, your daughters, those grieving and reflect on how our lives are enriched by his time with us.

B次元官网网址淓ach of you are in my prayers.B次元官网网址�

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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